JSU's Fanning denied sixth season of eligibility

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

(STATS) - Former Jacksonville State defensive end LaMichael Fanning is trying to find his way onto an NFL roster this year after the NCAA denied his petition for a sixth season of eligibility.

Fanning petitioned for the extra year after he missed most of his senior season last year, suffering an ACL tear in JSU's first game. The Ohio Valley Conference champion Gamecocks eventually reached the FCS national championship game, finishing 13-2.

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Fanning spent the last two seasons at Jacksonville State after attending Alabama for three years, including as a redshirt in 2011. He made the all-OVC first team in 2014.

JSU running back Josh Clemons, a transfer from Kentucky last year, was granted a sixth season this year. He was redshirted in 2012 while rehabilitating a knee injury and was hurt in the following preseason camp, missing the 2013 season.

In his first season at JSU, Clemons rushed for 405 yards and four touchdowns on 70 carries.